MVS Officials and Registered Coaches

Notices for MVS Officials

Name Tags for MVS Officials  (10/19/07)

Registered Officials Monthly Newsletter  (10/28/05)

USAS Registration Required for All Meet Officials  (10/28/05)

New Location for Officials Tests  (6/7/05)

Required Tests for New and Recertifying Officials  (6/9/05)

Officials Certification Tests and Clinic Attendance  (7/1/03)

Notice Regarding Meet Marshals  (3/15/03)

Nominate an Official for Maxwell Excellence Award  (10/23/02)

 

Notices for Registered Coaches

USAS Coaches Safety Curriculum: Requirements & Equivalents  (1/31/08)

Changes to Safety Training for Swim Coaches  (10/18/07)

USAS Initiates Background Screening Program  (12/6/06)

Changes to Summer 2006 LCM Schedule  (10/10/05)

USAS Coaches Safety Curriculum  (10/10/05)

Required Exam for Newly Registered Coaches  (2/3/05)

Approved Courses for Swim Coach Safety Training  (7/1/04)

Red Cross Safety Training for Swim Coaches  (5/12/04)

New Coach Requirements -- FAQ

 

Recent Rule Changes

Amended Rule for Teaching Racing Starts  (2/18/07)

USAS Interpretation of Amended Breaststroke Rule  (2/22/06)

Amended Rules for Breaststroke and Backstroke  (9/23/05)

USAS Rule Amendment Regarding Pace Devices  (6/5/04)

Rule Change for Minimum Water Depth  (12/6/03)

Rule Change for Backstroke Starts  (11/16/03)

Minimum Water Depth for Racing Starts  (11/1/01)

 

Other Information and Publications

Stroke and Turn Judge Checklist  (3/2/06)

Starter Checklist  (3/2/06)

Referee Checklist  (3/2/06)

Chief Judge Checklist  (3/2/06)

Administrative Referee Checklist  (3/2/06)

Recommended Stroke Briefing  (3/2/06)

 

National Certification Program for Officials  (3/2/06)

Transitioning to National Officials Certification  (3/2/06)

USAS National Officials Certification Matrix  (3/2/06)

Certification Levels for National Officials  (3/2/06)

Recertification Requirements for National Officials  (3/2/06)

N3 Starter Final Evaluation  (3/2/06)

N3 Referee Final Evaluation  (3/2/06)

Evaluation Guidelines for N3 Officials  (3/2/06)

National Officials Evaluation Worksheet  (3/2/06)

USAS Officials "Qualifying Meet" Application  (3/2/06)

MVS Request for National Officials Evaluation  (3/2/06)

 

Situation Resolutions - Disability Swimmers  (3/2/06)

Situation Resolutions - Referee/Admin Referee  (3/2/06)

Situation Resolutions - Starter/Deck Referee  (3/2/06)

Situation Resolutions - Stroke & Turn  (3/2/06)

 

Maxwell Trophy Award Letter  (3/2/06)

USAS 2007 Rules and Regulations Handbook

USAS 2006 Rules and Regulations Handbook

USAS Handbook for Officiating

10 Points of Self-Evaluation

Clarification of Whistle Starts

Changes to Safety Training for Swim Coaches

If you were at the USAS convention, then you know there is a lot of confusion and concern over the changes to Safety Training for Swim Coaches (STSC). USA Swimming made a major change to the safety requirements for coaches, which will be in effect next summer.

For the 2008 membership year, there is no change to what coaches can use for the STSC requirement: STSC, several lifeguard certifications (ARC, YMCA, Ellis, Amer Lifeguard Assn) or StarGuard. Nothing has changed regarding what can be used for the 2008 coach membership.

What has changed is how a coach gets certified in STSC. Effective immediately, a coach can self-study and then go to the USAS website to take the 25-question written STSC test. Upon receiving an email confirmation that the coach passed the test, he/she takes that email to his/her local ARC chapter and does one of the following: (A) arranges to take the 4-hour water skills portion with a WSI or LGI, or (B) shows an ARC lifeguard certification to the chapter (which means the coach doesn't have to do the 4-hour water skills portion). The coach can use the course record sheet for Option A; there is no course record sheet for Option B so coaches must plan 3-4 weeks ahead in order to get their card. Please review the STSC Options Chart and detailed information that outlines all the STSC options.

However, STSC can still be taught traditionally - this certification will continue to be valid as long as the local ARC chapter wants to teach the entire course. Coaches can still elect to take lifeguard training instead of STSC for the 2008 membership year.

Will there be changes to what coaches can use for the 2009 membership year? Most likely! It's unknown what those changes will be at this time or how to make a smooth transition to STSC only, but USAS hopes to have answers within the next 4-6 weeks. The 2008 membership year is just beginning and there are NO changes to what coaches can use for the 2008 membership year.

It is anticipated that USAS will stop accepting Lifeguard certifications effective July 15, 2008. All previously submitted lifeguard certifications would be valid until their normal expiration date so that any coach taking an acceptable lifeguard course prior to 7/15/08 would meet the STSC requirement for the duration of the lifeguard certification. Once the lifeguard certification expires, the coach would have to get an STSC certification. Any coach whose lifeguard certification expires on or after 7/15/08 will be required to get a STSC certification - lifeguarding would no longer be acceptable.

Amended Rule for Teaching Racing Starts

Pursuant to USA Swimming Rule 504.8, the USA Swimming Board of Directors has decided to amend Rule 103.2.2 (page 43 of the 2007 Rules & Regulations) which specifically applies to teaching racing starts to provide as follows: 103.2 WATER DEPTH - .2 /M/ Teaching Racing Starts - Minimum water depth for teaching racing starts in any setting from any height starting block or the deck shall be 6 feet (1.84 meters) measured for a distance of 3 feet 3-1/2 inches (1.0 meter) to 16 feet 5 inches (5.0 meters) from the end wall. This decision has been made with the advice and consent of the Safety Education Committee, the Rules and Regulations Committee, and legal counsel. The purpose of this action is to further protect novice swimmers from accidental bottom strikes while they are learning to execute racing starts. This change is effective immediately. Please direct any questions about this announcement to Bruce Stratton, Chairperson of the Rules & Regulations Committee, at bruce@strattoncpa.com.

USAS Launches Background Screening Program

This past September, the 2006 USAS House of Delegates adopted legislation to require background screening as a condition for coach membership and approved implementation of this requirement for the 2007 membership year. All coaches are subject to this requirement and must initiate a screening on or before their LSC deadline.

In order to maintain your 2007 USA Swimming coach membership in good standing, you are required to complete the new USA Swimming Background Screening process on or before April 13, 2007. To successfully accommodate the 10,000 individuals who must be screened, all 2007 coach members must fulfill the screening requirement according to a roll out schedule. Members are asked to adhere to the schedule and initiate their background screen only during their LSC assigned period or during the two open periods. Missouri Valley's assigned period is April 2-13. The two open periods are December 4-22, 2006 and February 19-March 23, 2007. All Missouri Valley coaches must initiate a background screen on or before April 13, 2007. For more information and instructions for initiating this required background check, see the USAS announcement. Once you have reviewed the information, go to the USAS Background Screening website to initiate your background screen.

Changes to Summer 2006 LCM Schedule

The Central Zone recently decided to change the venue for the Summer 2006 Zone meet. In lieu of their original plan of holding a "mega meet" in Indianapolis during the second week in August for all 15 LSC's, they have now scheduled two separate meets and locations due to the number of swimmers expected to be in attendance. In addition to the Indianapolis meet during the second week of August, they have now scheduled another location in Oklahoma for the first week in August.

Missouri Valley was given the choice of which meet site they would attend. During the MVS Fall Meeting on September 24th, the House of Delegates voted to participate in the Oklahoma meet to encourage more attendance. The result is that our championship meet dates for this summer will be moving forward one week. Division II meets will now be held the weekend of July 21-23, and the Division I meet will be July 28-30. Our Central Zone meet will be held that following week.

As a consequence, all MVS clubs and leagues need to review their meet schedules for this summer to determine if changes are necessary.

Amended Rules for Breaststroke and Backstroke

The Rules Committee of USA Swimming announced changes to the technical rules for the breaststroke and backstroke. These changes amend Articles 101.1 and 101.3 of the USAS Rules and Regulations to comply with recent changes made by FINA. Please note that these amended rules are effective as of September 21, 2005.  [Amended USAS Rules]

USAS Registration Required for All Meet Officials

Information received in Referee Reports continue to show that many individuals working as officials at MVS meets are not registered members of USA Swimming.  It's very important to realize that all officials, except timers and runners, working at an MVS sanctioned meet MUST be registered members of USA Swimming.

Our swimmers have what is viewed as the best insurance coverage in the world of youth sports.  USA Swimming has its own captive insurance company which provides excellent secondary insurance to cover any injuries incurred in a MVS sanctioned meet, practice or activity.  That insurance is paid for by athlete and non-athlete registrations.

When an individual works as an official at a sanctioned meet without being a registered member of USA Swimming, that individual places every swimmer and every other official working the meet in jeopardy if a catastrophic event were to occur.  Such an action leaves every one participating in the meet open to legal action and could void the insurance coverage for participating swimmers.

Those officials who must be registered members include: Meet Directors, Referees, Starters, Stroke and Turn Officials, Timing Judges, and Meet Marshals.  Lane timers, runners, and scoring table officials need not be registered.  Coaches must be registered as Coach Members of USA Swimming with the appropriate safety and first-aid certifications.

Please remember that your reluctance to pay your membership dues may well end up jeopardizing the very people you are there to support!

New Location for Officials Tests

For those officials that still need to take their new certification or recertification tests, those tests are now located on the USA Swimming website. To access the tests, go to the USA Swimming website, click on "Volunteers" in the top menu, then on "Officials" from the left menu on the next page, then once again on "Officials Test Online" from the left side menu.

If you have not yet taken a test from the USAS site, you will need to first register and create an account with USA Swimming. Directions for setting up an account can be found on the USAS online tests page.

A copy of the USAS Rule Book needed to take the tests can be downloaded from this site.

Required Tests for New and Recertifying Officials

After completing an official's clinic, you may take the USA Swimming Officials' tests online. These tests are available on the USA Swimming website. When arriving at the USAS site, click on "Volunteers" in the top menu, then "Officials" from the left menu on the next page, then once again on "Officials Test Online" from the left side menu.

When re-certifying at your current level, it is only necessary to take the re-certification tests, but you must take the re-certification tests for all tests that apply.

This test is designed to be a learning experience and is an open-book test. You may download and print a copy of the rule book from this website, so you can take the test at your leisure then enter the answers later (be careful and check for accuracy when transferring your answers from paper to the online test). For each question there is a minimum of two answers -- the answer to the question, and the rule book references for the answer. Many questions have as many as three answers to the rule book references. For the online tests, the answers are multiple choice and the possible references are noted in the answer.

Test results will be determined automatically by computer scoring. The results will be sent online to the individual taking the test, and to the LSC's Officials' Chair.

In the test sign-in sheet, there is a question asking for the date of the clinic you most recently attended and a code number for that clinic. Be sure to enter the date and code you were given at that clinic.

Required Exam for Newly Registered Coaches

All newly registered USA Swimming Coaches in Missouri Valley Swimming are reminded that they must successfully complete the USS Level 1 Foundations of Coaching Test. This exam is comprised of multiple choice questions and can be completed online at no cost by going to the "Coaches" section of the USA Swimming website. Once you have successfully completed the test, your results will be automatically forwarded to the MVS Office.

In order to take the "Foundations of Coaching Test" you must have an account with USA Swimming. If you have not created an account, you can do so by registering on this page. Once your account has been created, go to this page which will take you to directions for logging in and accessing the test.

Approved Courses for Swim Coach Safety Training

A revised list of approved courses that USA Swimming coaches can take to obtain and maintain their coach membership has just been released. There is only one significant difference. Effective immediately, coaches can take the American Red Cross "Lifeguard Training Course" in lieu of the "Safety Training for Swim Coaches Course". The lifeguard certification also meets the requirements for first aid and CPR, so now this one course meets ALL the necessary safety requirements for coach membership. (The CPR certification, however, must be renewed annually.)

Red Cross Safety Training for Swim Coaches

"Safety Training for Swim Coaches" is a course offered by the Red Cross. You can check the Red Cross home page at http://www.redcross.org for information on the availability of this course. From the Red Cross home page, click on Health and Safety Services, then click on Chapters. The larger Red Cross Chapters in Kansas and Missouri have sites accessible from there, and each Chapter lists courses that are offered. The Lawrence Chapter does NOT list "Safety Training for Swim Coaches" as an offered course, however it is available in Lawrence so be sure and contact the Chapter directly about the course if they do not list it on their site.

USAS Rule Amendment Regarding the Use of Pace Devices

During a USA Swimming meeting in Seattle on June 4-5, 2004, the Rules and Regulations Committee addressed the need to amend USS Rule 102.10 "Disqualifications" to conform with FINA Rule SW 10.15.  Specifically this dealt with the use of a pace device during competition.  The rule amendment and interpretation is listed below.  Should you have specific questions about this rule please contact the committee chairman, Don Hart, at duckhart@charter.net.

AMENDMENT TO RULES TO CONFORM TO FINA RULES
Effective June 5, 2004

BACKGROUND REGARDING PACE MAKING DEVICES
FINA has recently determined that certain wearable radio receivers that have recently been brought to market are not permitted.  These devices, designed to be worn by swimmers in the water, can transmit information from a coach or someone else on deck.  FINA rule SW 10.15 with language prohibiting pace making is the basis for this FINA determination.  The Rules & Regulations Committee has conformed our rules to those of FINA.

102.10 DISQUALIFICATIONS
.10   No swimmer is permitted to wear or use any device or substance to help his/her speed, pace or buoyancy during a race. Goggles may be worn, and rubdown oil applied if not considered excessive by the Referee.

INTERPRETATION
The official interpretation of 102.10.10 as amended to conform to FINA rule SW 10.15 is that no mechanical or electronic device that can convey pace or speed may be worn in competition.

AUTHORITY
Article 510.1 states in part that “the Rules & Regulations Committee may alter, amend or repeal any portion of Part One at any time to conform to the rules of the Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur (FINA).”

The USA Swimming Rules & Regulations Committee approved the change to USA Swimming 102.10.10 and the interpretation, both shown above, on June 5, 2004, effective immediately.

Officials Certification Tests and Clinic Attendance

There seems to be a lot of confusion as to how we are to certify and recertify as officials. Last November, the Officials Committee decided that all officials, including Referees recertifying, will be required to attend a clinic, that has been scheduled ahead of time, given for their specific level of certification each year. They will also be required to take, and pass with a 90% or better, the online tests for officials. These tests are available on the USA Swimming web site and until recently have been the 2002 tests. They are now available in the 2002 and 2003 format. It didn't matter that the tests were 2002, the officials were required to take the test online, not on paper. The reason for taking the tests online was to give all officials the results immediately as well as having all of the officials going through the rules themselves.

It has come to my attention that there are several clinics still being offered that have not been approved ahead of time. If you are scheduled to give a clinic, please email me at  vcbailey@cox.net to let us know that the clinic is being offered and to get the clinic code that is needed by the officials taking the tests. Also, these clinics are to be held giving the information that the officials need to take the online tests successfully. This information includes: clinic code, clinic date, where to go to take the tests, filling out the front page at the USAS site, where to look for help when there are problems with entering the information, as well as information on strokes and rules based on the level of the clinic. The training official needs to contact me to get this information. These clinics are supposed to be designed to learn the rules, and get answers to questions encountered at meets, as well as other areas that need to be covered. Simply going over the tests and grading them at the clinic has not been acceptable for several years! When USA Swimming developed a standard test several years ago, they recommended that it be a take-home test. Now they have expanded it to be taken online. In this way all officials take the same test and are graded the same. If the tests are hand graded they are subject to the discretion of the individual grading them as to how they are scored. Did the official have to give the same number of references as the official taking the test online? Was an answer key provided by USA Swimming used, so that the same responses were counted as incorrect, or did the official have to make their own because they didn't have the official key?

These are some of the reasons that the committee decided to require the test online. We know that this first year is going to be the hardest, but we hope that everyone will get through it and realize that next year will be much easier! Please go ahead and take the tests online, I promise that it will be an experience. I have gone through and taken all of the tests myself and will be taking the 2003 tests to see what problems I encounter there. If you experience problems, you can can contact me via email and I can usually help get them resolved. If not, I will find someone that will be able to resolve them.

Linda Bailey
MVS Officials Chairman
Email: vcbailey@cox.net

Nominations for the Maxwell Excellence Award

Last year, the USA Swimming Official's Committee, Swimming World Magazine, and Maxwell Awards initiated a program to recognize local officials for their efforts and service to swimming. So far, no one from Missouri Valley Swimming has been recommended to the LSC Officials' Chair for this recognition. Please nominate anyone you feel has made a positive contribution to the LSC competitive program in the current season. A printable nomination form is available in the "E-Forms" section.

Rule Change for Minimum Water Depth

This is a heads up to everyone that the following change will become effective on January 1, 2003.  Both the Safety Education Committee and the Rules & Regulations Committee have endorsed this proposed language and the Board of Directors will convene a special meeting to make it official.  All clubs will now be required to impose alternative starting procedures (from the deck or in-water) at facilities not in compliance with this new 4-foot minimum water depth.  Official notice will be mailed to the appropriate people once this change is approved.  This action is being taken under the authority of Article 505.8 in the Code and will be in effect until the next meeting of the House of Delegates.  The new wording will be as follows:

103.2 WATER DEPTH -

..3 /M/ Racing Starts -

A  In pools with water depth less than 4'0" (1.22 meter) at the start end, ... ... ... ... within the water.

B  Strike

C  Renumber to B

For more information, contact:

Julie Bare
Director, USS Central Zone
57 East Belmeadow
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
(440) 338-8659

Notice Regarding Meet Marshals

As a result of the Safety Education Committee of USA Swimming on April 26-27, 2002, all MVS sanctions for meets not yet held MUST BE AMENDED. It is NOT permissible to use either Ellis or American Red Cross-Trained Lifeguards as Meet Marshals UNLESS each such lifeguard is ALSO a member of USA Swimming. It is only a member of USA Swimming that is permitted to be a Meet Marshal.

Please also remember the directives from the Meet Marshal's Safety Guidelines issued in June 2001. Every Meet Marshal MUST wear some readily identifiable attire indicating their status as a Meet Marshal.

Rule Change for Backstroke Starts

USA Swimming recently issued a revision their rules for proper backstroke starts. This change was made to conform to FINA Technical Rules and is considered a minor change.

The revised rule now states that the toes or foot may come out of the water while moving up the pad or wall after the starting signal, provided the toes do not curl over the lip of the gutter and no part of the foot stands in the gutter. There is no change in guttered pools in which the water level is right at the lip of the gutter. This change has potential application in flat wall pools with no gutters or in guttered pools in which the water level is below the lip of the gutter. Standing in or on the gutter or curling the toes over the lip of the gutter is still not permitted.  View the full text of this rule change.

Referees, please inform your meet officials of this change at your next and all subsequent meets. This change is now in effect for all USA Swimming sanctioned meets.

Minimum Water Depth for Racing Starts

At its recent convention, USA Swimming adopted new rules regarding the depth of water whenever racing starts are being used. The new rule stipulates that:

First, whenever racing starts are being taught, a minimum water depth must be maintained when teaching racing starts in any setting and from any height of starting blocks, or the deck shall be at least 5 feet, measured for a distance of 1 meter to 5 meters when measured from the end wall. In other words, to teach racing starts from the deck or from any starting block, the water must be a minimum of 5 feet deep when measured from 3 feet out from the end of the wall through 5 meters from the end of the wall. If the water is not at least 5 feet deep for that distance, YOU CANNOT TEACH RACING STARTS IN THAT AREA.

Second, for racing starts during practice or in competition, the rules continue to depend on the height of the blocks relative to the depth of the water:

1. For water that is less than 4' for a distance from 1 meter to 5 meters from the start end, ALL SWIMMERS MUST START IN THE WATER. No diving is allowed.
    
2. For water that is less than 4' for a distance from 1 meter to 5 meters from the start end, any starting block must be no more than 18" ABOVE THE WATER SURFACE.
    
3. For water that is deeper than 4' at the start end, starting blocks must comply with Rule 103.11.1 of the USA Swimming Rules.

This Rule takes effect on November 1, 2001 and is in effect for all Missouri Valley Swimming meets, intrasquads and practices.

Name Tags for MVS Officials

Hasty Awards of Ottawa, Kansas, has developed an Official's name tag that can be used by all MVS officials. The tags are 3-1/4" long by 1-1/4" high with white engraving on a blue background. The MVS logo will also be engraved on each tag along with the official's first and last name. The cost of each name tag is $5.95 and can be ordered online through the Hasty Awards website at http://www.hastyawards.com/shop/pages/Nametag-MV.html.